Ski Jumping: Hendrickson clinches first women’s World Cup title

A season which began with an historic debut World Cup win by Sarah Hendrickson (Park City, UT) reached its pinnacle Saturday as the American teen clinched the overall title in the inaugural World Cup season for women’s ski jumping. Hendrickson, 17, opened the two-competition day with a win, then hung on to the runner-up spot in a rare second event to extend her World Cup lead to 295 points over Austrian Daniela Iraschko with two events remaining and 100 points going to the winner of each competition.

“It’s pretty crazy and I don’t know how to put it into words,” said Hendrickson, who has won seven of 11 World Cups this season and was second three times. “I knew I had to jump really well and that Sara [Takanashi] was catching up to me for the overall.  I felt a lot of pressure, but that’s why I love ski jumping.”

Sara Takanashi won the second competition with a new hill record of 102.5 meters. The World Cup resumes with a third event Sunday in Zao before it heads to Oslo, Norway for a finale at next weekend’s Holmenkollen Ski Festival where Hendrickson will receive the first crystal globe awarded to woman ski jumper.

It was a strong day for Women’s Ski Jumping USA with Jessica Jerome sixth, Lindsey Van eighth (both Park City, UT).

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